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Second printing 2011 Twenty-Third Publications A Division of Bayard One Montauk Avenue, Suite 200 New London, CT 06320 (860) 437-3012 or (800) 321-0411 www.23rdpublications.com Illustrations, text of commentary, and compilation copyright 2011 Twenty-Third Publications. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any way without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBN 978-1-58595-855-9 Printed in the U.S.A. Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal 2010 International Committee on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL). All rights reserved. Published with the approval of the Committee on Divine Worship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. First published in Australia by John Garratt Publishing. Illustrations, design, and typesetting: Geoff Hocking Additional Texts: Tricia Murray, Education Officer, Prayer and Liturgy, Catholic Education Office, Melbourne
CONTENTS Introduction 4 We Gather Introductory Rites 6 We Listen The Liturgy of the Word 13 We Give Thanks The Liturgy of the Eucharist 21 We Receive The communion rite 28 We Go The concluding rites 33
Introduction For Parents This Children s Mass Book has been prepared to accompany children as they pray at Mass. Words in italics offer brief explanatory notes, and the people s responses according to the Revised Order of Mass (introduced 2011) are included. For Children Every week, the parish community gathers to celebrate the Eucharist. The word Eucharist means thank you. It is our way of saying thank you to God for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this book you will find five main headings. These will help you understand each stage of the Mass: 1 We Gather to praise God 2 We Listen to God s word in the Bible 3 We Give Thanks for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ 4 We Receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in communion 5 We Go out to be peacemakers and hope-givers 4 5
The Order of Mass We Gather Introductory Rites We gather together as a family of faith. As we sing the Entrance Song, the priest and other ministers process to the altar and bow reverently. The altar represents Jesus Christ. The Priest kisses the altar. Then he goes to the chair. When the Entrance Song is concluded, we sign ourselves with the Sign of the Cross, while the Priest says: Priest In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. People Amen. Then the Priest greets us with one of the following greetings: Priest The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Or: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Or: The Lord be with you. People And with your spirit. 6 7
Penitential Act The Penitential Act calls for a change of heart as we reflect on the way we live as a Christian community. We call to mind our failures, always remembering God s loving forgiveness. Priest Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. There is a brief pause for silent reflection. Then we pray one of the following options: Option B Priest Have mercy on us, O Lord. People For we have sinned against you. Priest Show us, O Lord, your mercy. People And grant us your salvation. Option C Priest You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy. People Lord, have mercy. Option A All I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. Priest You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy. People Christ, have mercy. Priest You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord, have mercy. People Lord, have mercy. The Priest asks God to forgive us all: Priest May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life. People Amen. 8 9
The Gloria We pray this song of praise to God on feast days and Sundays, except in Lent and Advent: All Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. 10 11
Opening Prayer (Collect) Priest Let us pray. We all pray in silence with the Priest for a moment. Then the Priest, with hands extended, says the Collect for the day. People Amen. We sit We Listen The Liturgy of the Word There are two main parts of the Mass: The Liturgy of the Word and The Liturgy of the Eucharist. During the readings, it helps to listen for a sentence or a phrase that really speaks to us about God. Focus particularly on that. 12 13
First Reading At the end of the reading: Reader The word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm A reader or cantor sings or says the Psalm, with the people making the response. Second Reading At the end of the reading: Reader The word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God. After a period of silence we are invited to stand. Gospel Acclamation We sing the Alleluia, except during Lent when we sing an antiphon of praise and glory to God. The Gospel Priest The Lord be with you. People And with your spirit. Priest A reading from the holy Gospel according to N. People Glory to you, O Lord. At the end of the Gospel: Priest The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. 14 Homily During the homily, the Priest explains the meaning of the Word of God for our lives. 15
Profession of Faith The words of the Profession of Faith are very ancient. I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, (all bow) and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. 16 17
The Apostles Creed The Apostles Creed may be used as the Profession of Faith. I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, (all bow) who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. 18 19
The Prayer of the Faithful The Priest invites us to pray. A reader prays a number of prayers on behalf of all the people. Our response is usually: Reader Lord, hear us. People Lord, hear our prayer. The Priest says a final prayer and we reply: People Amen. We Give Thanks The Liturgy of the Eucharist The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the second of the two main parts of the Mass. Bread and wine are brought forward for the celebration of the Eucharist, and also the gift of money collected for the Church and the poor. 20 21
The Priest, standing at the altar, takes the paten (plate) with the bread and says in a low voice: Priest Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life. People Blessed be God for ever. The Priest pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly: Priest By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity. The Priest then takes the chalice and says: Priest Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink. People Blessed be God for ever. 22 23
Then the Priest washes his hands, saying quietly: Priest Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. The Priest then invites us to pray with him: Priest Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father. All stand and reply: People May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church. Then the Priest prays the Prayer over the offerings. At the end of it we say: People Amen. The Eucharistic Prayer This is the most important prayer of the Mass. The Eucharistic Prayer contains prayers of praise and thanks for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Dialogue Priest The Lord be with you. People And with your spirit. Priest Lift up your hearts. People We lift them up to the Lord. Priest Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People It is right and just. The Preface The Priest prays the Preface for the day. At the end of the Preface the people sing or say aloud: 24 25
People Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. The Priest chooses one of the Eucharistic Prayers. After saying the words of consecration the Priest shows the consecrated host and the chalice to the people, then says: Priest The mystery of faith. The people acclaim one of the following three options: People We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again. Or: When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again. Or: Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free. Doxology The Priest takes the chalice and the paten with the host and, raising both, he says: Priest Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever. People Amen. 26 27
We Receive The Communion Rite Priest At the Savior s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say: All Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Priest Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. People For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Priest Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles; Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever. People Amen. Priest The peace of the Lord be with you always. People And with your spirit. 28 29
Priest Let us offer each other the sign of peace. We all offer one another a sign that expresses peace, reconciliation, and harmony with one another. Meanwhile the following is sung or said: All Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace. The Priest takes the host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice, says aloud: Priest Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. And together with the people he prays: All Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. The Priest receives communion. After this, he takes the paten or ciborium and approaches the communicants. 30 31
He raises a host slightly and shows it to each of the communicants, saying: Priest The Body of Christ. The communicant replies: Amen. If Holy Communion is under both kinds, the formula is: Priest The Blood of Christ. The communicant replies: Amen. When the distribution of Communion is over, the Priest may return to the chair for a time of silent prayer. Then, he stands to pray: Priest Let us pray. The Priest says the Prayer after Communion, at the end of which we acclaim: People Amen. We Go We are commissioned to go out into the world to give glory to God by the way we live. The challenge for us now is to be the Body of Christ or, as St. Augustine suggests, to become what we have received! The Concluding Rites Priest The Lord be with you. People And with your spirit. The Priest blesses the people, saying: Priest May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. People Amen. 32 33
Dismissal Priest Go forth, the Mass is ended. Or: Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord. Or: Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life. Or: Go in peace. People Thanks be to God. 34